Yuzhnoye Design Bureau

Yuzhnoye Design Bureau (officially Yuzhnoye State Design Office, named after M.K. Yangel) was established in 1954 in Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro), Ukraine. It became a key Soviet center for ballistic missile and space rocket development. After Ukrainian independence, Yuzhnoye pivoted to civilian space applications, collaborating with NASA, ESA, and commercial partners. Key achievements include the Zenit launch vehicle for Sea Launch, the Antares first-stage design, the Sich Earth observation satellite series, and the Cyclone-4M medium-lift rocket. In 2023 it was reorganized into a 100% state-owned joint-stock company.